Image acquired from the Internet Hive MindÂ
When it is okay not to be paid:
- Creating your own marketing (such as a blog).
- Deciding to write fanfic in an existing universe because it is fun. Singing for the joy of it. Painting to paint, instead of working on cover art.
- Helping friends / others grow (because you want to).
- Exchange of skill sets in a de minimis manner (example: trading critique reads) – legal definition of de minimis applies – watch out doing stuff as “make a cover for a developmental edit”; trading the larger stuff is a Tax Event, and while such exchanges are legal, the actions need to be recorded under both income and expenses.
- Anything else creative you decide of your own free will with no coercion to so, while being able to keep a roof over your head and food on your table.
When it is not okay not to be paid:
- The person is using you for marketing to produce money or enjoyment for THEM without an EQUAL (or appropriate trade – not all trades need to be equal, they do need to be equitable) benefit for you.
- The company is using you as a draw to increase income (without giving you the opportunity to earn appropriate income to services given) – example, paneling at a con is a TRADE of exposure as marketing and networking; this would be fine; a bookstore asking you to do a reading without being willing to carry your books, not so much. A coffee shop asking you to sing (and, oh, you can put out a hat), not good; YouTube providing a platform to upload your songs to show the world, while they collect adverting money – acceptable.
- Family expecting you to do things requiring a lot of prep time, without recompense. Example: showing up at a potluck, everyone brings something is fair; expected to sing at every wedding – to a special chosen song which you have to learn, practice, show up for at rehearsal, and arrive early at the wedding in a special outfit does not equal a rehearsal dinner (maybe) and the reception.
- People thinking general “exposure” meets the requirement of targeted marketing.
- When you are exhausted, don’t have time, and feel guilted for “not helping”. In this case, no one is taking advantage of you but you. STOP IT! (Creativity takes energy, it needs to be renewed by taking a break!)
When someone asks you to do something for “exposure”, stop a moment and change the word to “marketing”. Does it meet your marketing plan? Does it take you off in an unexpected direction for marketing you hadn’t thought of? Then, yes, good exposure. Otherwise, the answer is no.